Image metadata attachment

ABSTRACT

An accessory is provided for use with an image capture device is provided. The accessory has a trigger button and an image capture system adapted to capture an image in response to actuation of the trigger button. The accessory also has a body adapted to be detachably connectable to the image capture device with the body including, a holding unit for receiving a removable metadata source having metadata stored therein; a communication interface for communicating with the removable metadata source; and a trigger sensor for generating a trigger signal when the trigger button of said image capture device is depressed. The communication interface obtains metadata from the removable metadata source in response to the trigger signal and stores the metadata in a metadata memory so that the metadata is associated with the captured image.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of prior U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/739,675, filed Dec. 18, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,528,868, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to photography and cameras and more particularlyto devices that cooperate with camera systems to provide informationthat can be used with images that are captured by the camera systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumers who use one-time-use cameras (OTUCs) often desire the abilityto incorporate special effects into images. Special effects may includesuperimposing special text or additional images onto an originalcaptured image, adjusting the color content of the image or otherwisemodifying the appearance on image. However, cost and camera sizelimitations can limit the number of controls and features that areincluded in such cameras and can make it challenging to incorporate suchfeatures in such cameras. The term “one-time-use camera” is used hereinto refer to cameras that are provided to consumers in preloaded form andcannot be reloaded, by the consumer, without extensive cameradisassembly, or replacement of parts, or use of special tools, or thelike. OTUCs are widely available at this time. Unless the film in theOTUC contains pre-exposed special effects or images, those who use OTUCsgenerally have to rely on manual photo editing tools to add specialeffects in an image.

Various systems have been devised to allow camera-users to associateimage related metadata with captured images. Such metadata includesinformation that is associated with an image but does not necessarilyappear in the image itself. The metadata can include information thatcan be used to process captured images, organize captured images, andmodify captured images. Such metadata can be particularly useful inproviding instructions asking a photofinisher to incorporate specialeffects into a selected image.

One way to transfer metadata from a camera to a photofinisher is to usean encodement. An encodement is a feature of physical media used tocommunicate one or more pieces of information to a machine, and caninclude alphanumeric text and other indicia. U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,013discloses a one-time-use camera employing a prerecorded machine readableencodement that modifies captured images to convey metadata that is readduring processing, i.e., printing of the photograph or viewable digitalimage display. The camera has also a sighting guide identifying the partof the image subject to modification.

For instance, an encodement might be written to the film itself as isdescribed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,013. Alternatively,commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,737 discloses a system forcontrolling the photofinishing of photographic film wherein the film hasa magnetic layer on which an instructional code is placed by themanufacturer or the user to provide directions for photofinishing. Thisphotographic system requires a predetermined code be placed on themagnetic layer or requires a means to allow the consumer to apply theinstructional code to the magnetic layer. Various systems of this typeare known in the art.

Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,173,119 and 6,381,416 disclose theuse of a radio-frequency identification transponder mounted in the bodyof a camera or affixed to an image capture media, such as photographicfilm, to provide information or data that is accessible from a distance.The term “radio-frequency identification transponder” is used hereinprincipally to refer to any of a class of compact radioreceiver-transmitters which are powered by an ambient radio-frequencyfield. Direct physical contact or close proximity to this type oftransponder is unnecessary to obtain information from thesetransponders. These transponders typically have sufficient memory tostore relatively large amounts of data including, but not limited to,set-up parameters for a photofinishing device, instructions formodifying the captured images, or request, for specific services.

While the systems described in the '013, '737, '119 and '416applications provide commercially viable and valuable models, othersolutions that are both useful and economically viable under othercircumstances are also desirable. In particular, it will be appreciatedthat one-time-use cameras are typically recycled after use andcomponents thereof are used to build new cameras. However, introducingnew camera components and/or film types into an existing stock ofrecyclable camera parts fragments the stock into a portion havingexisting components and a portion having new components. Thisfragmentation can create challenges during recycling. Thus, what isneeded is a system for associating metadata such as special effectmetadata with captured images that does not create such challenges.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,127 discloses a special effects filter thatsurrounds a one-time-use camera body while allowing viewing through thelens and the viewfinder so that practically identical images areregistered with the lens and the viewfinder. The special effectsavailable with this patent arise by sliding the special effects filterto one position of several special effect zones, which include changesin color rendition, over the lens and view finder simultaneously.

Commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0164160discloses a system that allows a one-time-use camera to capture an imageof a card that provides processing instructions to the photofinisher.While the '160 publication provides a useful and commercially viablesolution, it may be desirable to capture images of a scene while at thesame time capturing the metadata that is associated with the images.

It will be appreciated that digital cameras typically provide a greaterability to store and incorporate special effect information in images.For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,326 discloses an instant specialeffects camera for children that employs plug-in cartridges to create avariety of special effects, e.g., picture frames, film stars, animals,which are overlayed upon the captured image. The camera uses anintegrated thermal printer to produce the resulting image. Thecartridges provide memory containing image content that adapts thecaptured image to form the print. This requires relatively expensivedata cartridges. In other, more conventional digital cameras, a displayand menuing system select and associate particular metadata such asspecial effect metadata with captured images.

Accordingly what is needed is a practical way to automaticallyincorporate selected metadata such as special effects with capturedimages. What is also needed is a low cost solution that is equallyapplicable for digital and film implementations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, an accessory is provided for use with animage capture device having a trigger button and an image capture systemadapted to capture an image in response to actuation of the triggerbutton. The accessory has a body adapted to be detachably connectable tothe image capture device with the body including, a holding unit forreceiving a removable metadata source having metadata stored therein; acommunication interface for communicating with the removable metadatasource; and a trigger sensor for generating a trigger signal when thetrigger button of said image capture device is depressed. Thecommunication interface obtains metadata from the removable metadatasource in response to the trigger signal and stores the metadata in ametadata memory so that the metadata is associated with the capturedimage.

In another aspect of the invention, an accessory is provided for usewith an image capture device having a trigger button, an internalwireless communication interface and a viewfinder, to associate acaptured image with special effect metadata. The accessory has a bodyadapted to be detachably connectable to the image capture deviceincluding a wireless communication interface for receiving a signalhaving special effect metadata and obtaining special effect metadatatherefrom, a memory, connected to the wireless communication interface,for receiving and storing special effect metadata; a trigger sensor fordetecting the depression of the trigger button of said image capturedevice; and a holster adapted to receive a metadata card having a memorywith metadata, a wireless transponder for generating a signal containingthe metadata and a mask having said special effect image. Uponassembling the body on the image capture device, said holster ispositioned so that when a metadata card is installed in the holster themask is superimposed on said viewfinder such that the special effectimage can be viewed by a user, and wherein the trigger sensor, upondetecting depression of the trigger button, activates the wirelesscommunication interface to retrieve special effect metadata from themetadata source and to store the special effect metadata in associationwith the captured image in the memory.

In still another aspect of the invention, an accessory is provided foruse with an image capture device having a trigger button, and aviewfinder. The accessory has a label body adapted to be detachablyconnectable to the image capture device and including a communicationinterface; a memory, connected to the communication interface, forreceiving and storing special effect image metadata; and a triggersensor for detecting the depression of the trigger button of said imagecapture device; and a detachable mask including, a viewable specialeffect image thereon. Upon assembling the label body and mask on theimage capture device, said mask is superimposed on said viewfinder suchthat the special effect image and the scene can be viewed through theviewfinder, and wherein the trigger sensor, upon detecting depression ofthe trigger button, activates the communication interface of the labelbody to receive special effect image data from the radio frequencyidentification device and transmit the special effect image metadata tothe memory of the label body, so that the special effect image metadatacan be associated with the individual captured image duringphotofinishing.

In a further aspect of the invention, an image capture system isprovided for associating a captured image with special effect metadata.The image capture system having an image capture device with a triggerbutton and a viewfinder; a body adapted to be detachably connectable tothe image capture device including, a wireless communication interface;a memory, connected to the wireless communication interface, forreceiving and storing special effect metadata to be associated with theindividual captured image during processing of the captured image; atrigger sensor for detecting the depression of the trigger button ofsaid image capture device; and a mask having said special effect image.The body, mask and image capture device are configured so that uponassembling the body on the image capture device, said mask issuperimposed on said viewfinder such that the special effect image canbe viewed by a user, and wherein the trigger sensor, upon detectingdepression of the trigger button, activates the wireless communicationinterface to receive special effect metadata and transmit the specialeffect metadata to the memory.

In yet another aspect of the invention, an image capture system isprovided for associating a captured image with a special effect. Theimage capture system has an image capture device with a trigger button,and an internal wireless communication interface and a viewfinder; abody adapted to be detachably connectable to the image capture deviceincluding a wireless communication interface for receiving specialeffect metadata and transmitting the special effect metadata to theinternal wireless communication interface; a memory, connected to thewireless communication interface, for receiving and storing specialeffect metadata so that the special effect metadata can be associatedwith an individual captured image during processing; a trigger sensorfor detecting the depression of the trigger button of said image capturedevice; and a mask having said special effect image. The body, mask andimage capture device are configured so that upon assembling the body onthe image capture device. Said mask is superimposed on said viewfindersuch that the special effect image can be viewed by a user. The triggersensor, upon detecting depression of the trigger button, activates thewireless communication interface to retrieve special effect image datafrom the memory and transmit the special effect image data to theinternal wireless communication interface of the image capture device.

In still another aspect of the invention, an image capture system isprovided for associating a captured image with metadata. The imagecapture system has an image capture device with a trigger button and aviewfinder; a label body adapted to be detachably connectable to theimage capture device and including, a wireless communication interface;a memory, connected to the wireless communication interface, forreceiving and storing special effect image data to be associated withthe individual captured image during processing of the captured image;and a trigger sensor for detecting the depression of the trigger buttonof said image capture device; a detachable mask including, a viewablespecial effect image thereon; and a radio frequency device whichincludes a wireless communication interface, a memory connected to thewireless communication interface for storing metadata to be associatedwith the individual captured image during processing of the capturedimage. Upon assembling the label body and mask on the image capturedevice, said mask is superimposed on said viewfinder such that thespecial effect image can be viewed by a user. The trigger sensor, upondetecting depression of the trigger button, activates the communicationinterface of the label body to receive metadata from the radio frequencydevice and from a memory in the image capture device and to transmit themetadata to a memory of the label body so that the metadata isassociated with the captured image.

In a further aspect of the invention, an image capture system isprovided for associating a captured image with a special effect imagecomprising an image capture device having a trigger button, acommunication interface, memory and a viewfinder; a body adapted to beconnected to the image capture device including, a communicationinterface for transmitting and receiving image data, and a memory,connected to the communication interface, for receiving and storingspecial effect image data to be associated with the individual capturedimage during processing of the captured image; a trigger sensor fordetecting the depression of the trigger button of said image capturedevice; and a special effect image module adapted to be connected to oneof the image capture device or the body and including a communicationinterface, a memory connected to the communication interface for storingspecial effect image data so that the special effect metadata can beassociated with the individual captured image during processing of thecaptured image, and a mask including said special effect image thereon.Upon assembling the image capture device, the body, special effect imagemodule and the mask, said mask is superimposed on said viewfinder suchthat the special effect image can be viewed by a user. The triggersensor, upon detecting depression of the trigger button, activates thecommunication interface of the body to activate the communication deviceof the special effect image module such that the receive special effectimage data stored in the memory of the special effect image module isretrieved and transmitted, via the communication interface of the imagecapture device, to the memory of the image capture device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear view of one embodiment of an image capturesystem/metadata attachment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view from the side of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are front and side views of another embodiment of themetadata attachment in the form of a label and view finder assembled onan image capture device;

FIG. 4 illustrates for one embodiment of the invention the interactionof the metadata attachment, the image capture device, the metadata cardand a device transponder;

FIG. 5 illustrates in another embodiment of the invention theinteraction of the metadata attachment, the image capture device, themetadata card and a device transponder;

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention the interaction of themetadata attachment, the image capture device, the metadata card and adevice transponder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of an image capture system 8 ofthe invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, image capture system 8comprises: an image capture device 10, a metadata attachment 20 and ametadata card 30. The front of image capture device 10 has a window 12positioned at an end of a viewfinder 14 which faces the object to bephotographed (not shown). Image capture device 10 captures the imagewhen a trigger 16 is activated by the user. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, image capture device 10 comprises a film camera such as aone-time-use film camera (OTUC), however, in other embodiments, imagecapture device 10 can comprise a reloadable film camera, a digitalcamera, and/or a digital one-time-use camera, and/or hybrid andcombination film/digital cameras.

The metadata attachment 20 has body 21 configured to enable metadataattachment 20 to be affixed onto the image capture device 10, such as aslip-on and/or snap-on arrangement. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1and 2, a communication interface circuit 22, a trigger sensor 26 andmemory 24 are electrically connected to a power source 25. Communicationinterface circuit 22, metadata memory 24, power source 25, and triggersensor 26, are linked electronically or otherwise to cooperate asdescribed herein. Communication interface circuit 22 is capable ofextracting metadata from a memory 34 in metadata card 30, as will bedescribed in greater detail below and storing the metadata in a metadatamemory 24. In this embodiment communication interface circuit 22comprises a radio-frequency transceiver circuit 27 having an antennaarrangement (not shown). Radio-frequency transceiver circuit 27 iscapable of generating a first electromagnetic signal and receiving asecond electromagnetic signal.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, metadata card 30 is removable and hasa metadata source 32 with a card communication circuit 31 that iselectrically connected to metadata source 32. In this embodiment, cardcommunication circuit 31 comprises a radio frequency transponder thatcan be of the type that has a conventional compact radioreceiver-transmitter powered by the first electromagnetic fieldgenerated by radio-frequency transceiver circuit 27 (not shown). Radiofrequency transponder circuit 33 includes antenna and integratedcircuits providing communication and control functions, such as thosedisclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,119, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference. When transponder circuit 33 receivesthe first electromagnetic field, transponder circuit 33 generates asecond electromagnetic field containing metadata supplied by metadatasource 32. In the embodiment shown metadata source 32 comprises ametadata memory 34 having metadata stored therein.

The metadata stored in memory 34 can comprise, for example, a memoryaddress indicating a storage location at which special effect imagemodification can be obtained for incorporation with the image. Thespecial effect can be either visual or audio in nature, and can includevisual editing instructions, such as a digital or pseudo zoom, aspectratio change, shape change, and color adjustment instructions such asgray scale, pure black and white, and/or colorization. The specialeffect can also cause additional content to be recorded in an image datasuch as a special effect image, i.e., a smiling face image to beincorporated with the captured image, a border to be included with theimage, text to be included with the image, and other like additions.

Other metadata can also be provided by metadata source 32 including, butnot limited to, an instruction to encode an indicia of ownership such asa photographer's name, a copyright symbol and associated information, amark or some other such symbol. The instruction can request that theindicia of ownership be encoded in a human readable form, a machinereadable form such as a bar code, and/or a steganographic form. Memory34 can also provide metadata that can be used to identify, for example,one or more of a location, a person, a web site, a photofinisher, ane-mail address, a mailing address, a computer, a telephone, a cellulartelephone, a collection of images stored on a computing system, a handheld display device and a payment account. Non-memory embodiments ofmetadata source 32 are also contemplated with, for example, metadatasource 32 comprising a timing system that provides time metadata, alight or other sensor that detects conditions proximate to the cameraand creates metadata based upon these conditions, an audio capturedevice, a location detection device such as a global positioning systemlocation detector, and any other device that is capable of generatingmetadata that can usefully be associated with an image.

The nature, type and quality of metadata transmitted from metadatasource 32 to communication interface 22 can vary and can be determinedbased upon the capabilities of metadata source 32, and by the accesstime and bandwidth available for the communication. Where communicationbetween communication interface 22 and metadata source 32 is made usingradio frequency communications, the communication capabilities oftransponder circuit 33 and transceiver circuit 27 can also influence thenature, type and quality of metadata transferred. In alternativeembodiments, a direct electrical connection can be established betweencommunication interface 22 and communication circuit 31 thus eliminatingthe need for transceiver circuit 27 and transponder circuit 33. Forexample, metadata attachment 20, label 42 and metadata card 30 includerespectively a communication circuit 22, and a card communicationcircuit 21 having electrical connectors thereon which are placed so asto establish an electrical connection therebetween.

Metadata source 32 can be read from and/or written to in a mannersimilar to other digital memory devices that are used to store andretrieve digital information. For example, metadata source 32 cancomprise a memory 34 having multiple separately-accessible memory units(not shown). Access to individual memory units can be unlimited or canbe limited by use of one or more access codes for memory 34 as a whole,or different codes for each unit. Read and write functions can beprovided together or access can be differentiated in some manner. Forconvenience, metadata source 32 is generally described herein asreacting to a communication signal generated by communication interface22 by transmitting an encodement, containing the metadata. It will befurther understood that such descriptions are not limiting of thepossible scope of responses by metadata source 22. The encodement orencodements provided by metadata source 32 can be limited by practicalconsiderations relating to constraints on metadata source 32, availablebandwidth and access time. Within these constraints the encodement canvary. For example, the encodement can be uncompressed or compressed dataor a pointer to remote data, such as the data card 30, or somecombination. Similarly, it will be understood that the first and secondelectromagnetic signals may similarly vary in scope and content.

As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, trigger sensor 26 is preferably situateddirectly above trigger button 16 when metadata attachment 20 ispositioned on image capture device 10. Trigger sensor 26 detects theactivation of trigger button 16 on image capture device 10 and causescommunication interface circuit 22 to generate a first signal causingthe metadata source to transmit a second signal that incorporates themetadata with the image during later processing. For example, triggersensor 26 can be a pressure-sensitive transducer device or a contactelectrical switch. Alternatively, trigger sensor 26 can be positioned inother locations on body 21. However, any such positioning must enableactivation of trigger sensor 26 when an image is captured.

Body 21 has a holster 28 which securely receives the metadata card 30 inposition on the reverse side of image capture device 10. As discussedabove, metadata card 30 includes metadata source 32, which in thisembodiment comprises a memory 34. Memory 34 stores metadata thatcorresponds to information that a user wishes to be associated with animage. For example, this metadata can include data that identifies aspecial effect to be incorporated with each captured image.

When trigger sensor 26 is activated, trigger sensor 26 sends a signalthat causes communication interface circuit 22 to send a first signalthat is detected by card communication circuit 31 sends a second signalthat communicates metadata available from metadata source 32, such asmetadata that identifies a special effect image. Communication interface22 receives the second signal, extracts the metadata and stores themetadata in metadata memory 24 in a manner that associates the metadatawith the captured image.

Metadata card 30 optionally has a window 36 which holds a mask 38. Mask38 has an image to be superimposed onto the image displayed by theviewfinder 14 of image capture device 10. The special effect image onmask 38 corresponds to the data stored in memory 34 of metadata card 30.Alternatively, mask 38 can be placed in the window 40 of body 21. Thecamera-user can use mask 38 as a guide to preview the resulting imagethat results from superimposing the special effects onto the capturedimage.

Multiple metadata cards 30 can be provided each with a particularmetadata stored therein, which, as desired by the user can placed intoholster 28 and used to provide a selected effect to the image taken bythe image capture device 10. For example, first metadata card 30 cancontain the name, date and data for a “witch on a broom” special effectand a second metadata card (not shown) can contain the name, date anddata for a “tornado” special effect. It is also within scope of theinvention to include both special effects in the finished photograph ordisplayed image by structuring the metadata attachment 20 to holdmultiple data cards in superposition or by merely bringing the seconddata card with enabling the range of the communication interface 22 onbody 21.

In still another embodiment, metadata card 30 can have more than one setof metadata stored therein and a switch allowing a user to select one ofthe sets of metadata for storage in association with the captured image.

In one embodiment, mask 38 shows an image that attempts to match theappearance of the special effect in the image. In other embodiments,mask 38 shows symbols and/or text that while not showing the specialeffect image itself, shows the location of artifacts such as a smilingface or a time/date/location artifact that will appear in the scene. Thelatter embodiment allows a photographer to compose a scene to introducedynamic effects such as annotations and date and time effects.

In an alternative embodiment, metadata card 30 may be reprogrammablewith different special effects data, which can reduce the need formultiple data cards, save the user the cost of additional data cards foradditional special effects and/or allow for personalized data cards. Thespecial effects data may be downloadable to memory 34 of metadata card30, via the card communication circuit 31, and metadata can becommunicated to communication circuit 31 of metadata card 30 in modesincluding wireless or docketed (wired) transmission.

In addition to metadata from metadata source 32, metadata memory 24 canstore additional data such as metadata received by communicationinterface circuit 22. This data can include metadata sources from otherdata useful in associating an image with an identification, a location,time/date information, auto albuming instructions, instructions fore-mailing, or information about the desired number of copies to beprinted, distributed, or shared. Wedding kits or other event kits mayinclude of a set of metadata attachments 20 or an identical set ofmetadata cards 30 or a common metadata card 30 each of which containdata that when stored in association with a set of images, indicatesthat the images are from the same event. This allows automaticassociation of the images for automatic albuming purposes. Such weddingor other event kits can also include metadata indicating distributioninformation or the number of copies to be printed. The common metadatacard 30, can transmit this data to communication interface 22 andmetadata memory 24 of metadata attachment 20 as described above.

The metadata can also be communicated to communication interface circuit22 from an external device, such as a radio frequency (RF) transmitter(not shown). For example, an external RF transmitter at a museum, Kodakphotospot or other popular landmark, event or activity may sendinformation for an event or location based upon effects withoutinitiation by the user. An effect, which may include a location stamp,special content such as borders, or image optimization based onlocation, is then added to the captured image. Such location basedmetadata can also be used for albuming purposes.

The photofinishing of the images with associated metadata is thencompleted by including the metadata attachment 20 with a film or othermemory containing the captured images. That is, during thephotofinishing process, the metadata stored in metadata memory 24 ofmetadata attachment 20 is retrieved and associated with the imagecapture unit or film unit removed from image capture device 10. Thisassociation can be used during photofinishing or other use of thecaptured images, for example, to cause a special effect to be introducedinto an image. Photofinishing, as used herein, broadly describes anyprocessing by which an image and metadata are transformed from a storedform into a human usable or viewable form. Such photofinishing can beperformed using conventional photofinishing processes, and/or processesappropriate for processing electronically stored images. Suchphotofinishing can be performed in a wholesale, retail, kiosk,home-based personal computing, or other home processing environment.

In another alternative of the invention, metadata memory 24 can beattached to image capture device 10 or a film unit (not shown) withinimage capture device 10, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,119.In this embodiment, communication module 22 communicates with metadatasource 32 as discussed above which then transfers the metadata tometadata memory 24. The transfer from communication module 22 tometadata memory 24 can be accomplished in various ways as will bedescribed in greater detail below. However, in such embodiments, themetadata memory 24 travels with image capture device 10 duringphotofinishing.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate yet another embodiment of an image capturesystem 8 and metadata attachment 20 of the invention. In thisembodiment, metadata card 30 of FIG. 1 is not necessary, and, therefore,holster 28 of FIG. 1 is eliminated. Specifically, body 21 takes the formof label 42, structured similar to the label for one-time-use camerasdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,841, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, label 42 includescircuitry for trigger sensor 26 at trigger button 16, as well as acommunication interface 22 to a metadata memory 24. Label 42 can includea battery or a link on the casing to a battery (not shown) of imagecapture device 10. In this embodiment, image capture device 10 has arecess 50 adapted to receive a detachable clip-on mask 39 for viewfinder14 which is provided with mask 38. Clip-on mask 39 has a metadata source32 having metadata and a communication circuit 31, such as a transpondercircuit 33. In this embodiment, multiple detachable clip-on masks 39 canbe provided which can be detachably attached either to viewfinder 14 ofimage capture device 10 or to label 42. Each clip-on mask 39 has datastored in metadata source 32 indicating special effects to be associatedwith a captured image. Other variations of this configuration are alsowithin the scope of the invention. For example, instead of providing animage capture device 10 having a recess 50 to receive detachable clip-onmask 39, as shown in FIG. 3, a clipping structure 52 can be incorporatedin mask 39 or label 42.

As discussed above, metadata attachment 20 has a body 21 containing acommunication interface 22 such as a transceiver 27 that polls for atransponder 33 in metadata card 30 when trigger button 26 is depressed.Communication interface 22 then stores the received special effectmetadata in metadata memory 24 of body 21. Where image capture device 10has a device memory that is capable of receiving and storing metadataother embodiments of metadata attachment 20 can be used. Examples ofimage capture devices of this type include but are not limited to thosethat are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,173,119 and 6,381,416 which showOTUC cameras that have a transponder memory within the camera or on afilm cartridge. Several embodiments of this type will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. However, other viable approaches canbe used.

FIG. 4 illustrates one alternative for operation of metadata attachment20 of FIG. 1 in which image capture device 10 or film cartridge (notshown) contains a device transponder 44 and a device memory 46 that arecapable of storing metadata. In this embodiment, communication module 22of metadata attachment 20 or label 42 comprises a transceiver 23 andtransceiver circuit 27. Transceiver circuit 27 sends a first pollingsignal telling transponder 33 and memory 34 in metadata card 30 ordetachable clip-on mask 39 to send a second signal having metadata. Inthis embodiment, the second signal has the metadata and is received by adevice transponder 44 and stored in device memory 46 that is associatedwith image capture device 10 or a film (not shown) stored therein. Thus,in this embodiment, device memory 46 also performs the functions ofmetadata memory 24 as described above. Optionally, communicationinterface 22 can send a command signal to device transponder 44 tospecifically instruct device transponder 44 to receive the secondsignal, to extract metadata therefrom, and to store the metadata indevice memory 46 in the camera (or film cartridge), as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 4, in whichcommunication interface circuit 22 and metadata memory 24 of metadataattachment 20 or label 42 can receive signals from both the metadatacard 30 and camera transponder 44. The information that can betransmitted by the device transponder 44 can include the camera or filmidentification number or code, film information exchange IX data and/orFilm Data Exchange DX information, camera identification number or anyother information that is stored in device memory 46. Communicationinterface 22 can then store the received metadata and other informationin metadata memory 24 of metadata attachment 20 or label 42. The abovereferenced U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,119 describes in detail the kinds of datathat can be stored in the camera RFID memory. As is also noted above,device transponder 44 and device memory 46 can be associated with eitherimage capture device 10 or a film (not shown). Similarly, metadata madeavailable by a metadata source 32 such as memory 34 is provided tocommunication interface 22 in response to a polling signal, and isstored using the methods generally described above.

FIG. 6, shows another embodiment of metadata attachment 20 or label 42that illustrate how the communication interface circuit 22 and metadatamemory 24 of metadata attachment 20 or label 42 can act as anintermediary receiving metadata and other information from metadatasource 32 or other sources and transmitting the metadata to devicetransponder 44 and/or device memory 46. In this embodiment,communication interface circuit 22 can convert received second signalinto a form that is preferred for storage in metadata memory 24 such asdevice memory 46 that is within image capture device 10. For example, itcan be useful for communication interface circuit 22 to transcode thereceived metadata into a form that conserves memory or provides enhancedsecurity.

In a specific example of this type where image capture device 10 has aUSB or other communication port (not shown) and, during image captureoperations communication interface circuit 22 can be connected to theport. When images are captured, communication interface circuit 22adopts received metadata into a form that can be transmitted throughsaid USB port to be stored in association with the captured image. Inother examples, communication interface 22 can be used to convertreceived signals into a form that can be transferred to device memory 46using other known wired and wireless communication systems.

Particularly, it is within the scope of the invention for theinterchangeability of metadata card 30 to be realized with digitalcameras, as well as film cameras. In one particularly preferredembodiment, the image capture device 10 is a digital camera having atleast one radio frequency transponder that can receive data frommetadata card 30 or metadata attachment 20 or label 42. In such anembodiment, the viewfinder 14 can be an optical system or an electronicimage display, such as a color LCD. Additionally, as a furtheralternative to the use of metadata attachment 20 can be plugged into anopen memory slot of the digital camera to indicate that an image is tobe captured in association with metadata stored using metadata card 30.Alternatively, metadata card 30 can have an interface that allowsmetadata card 30 to function with either a one-time-use film camera or adigital image capture device 10. Specifically, when metadata card 30 isconnected to the digital camera and trigger sensor 26 activated,metadata card 30 downloads a data code to the digital camera embodimentof image capture device 10 indicating the metadata to be used which isthen retrieved from device memory 46 of digital camera embodiment ofimage capture device 10, or from metadata source 32, or from metadatamemory 24 of the special effect attachment itself. In this embodiment, afacsimile image of the special effect is then overlaid on a viewfinderscreen (not shown) of the digital camera. This enables a user to previewthe image before capture or view the special effects image after captureto verify the photo taken. For display purposes, the facsimile image cancomprise a low resolution version of the effect or an object indicatingthe area in the image in which the special effect will appear.

In the above described embodiments, transponder circuit 33 has beendescribed in a manner that is consistent with well known passive radiofrequency transponder technology in which non-powered passivetransponders receive a first electromagnetic field from a transceiver,draw power from the first electromagnetic field and use that power togenerate a second electromagnetic field. However, other approaches canbe used, wherein transponder circuit 33 has a power supply and emitsradio frequency signals having metadata in certain situations withoutfirst receiving a signal from a transceiver. For example, transpondercircuit 33 can begin transmitting a signal having metadata whenremovable metadata card 30 is installed in holster 28. In such anembodiment, communication interface circuit 22 can comprise a receivercircuit. Other powered and non-powered arrangements can be used.

Finally, as noted above, the use of radio frequency communicationprovides only one manner of effecting communication between metadataattachment 20 or label 42 and metadata source 32, and device memory 46of image capture device 10. Direct electrical connection can also beutilized which will require contact electrodes on the camera bodycapable of effecting electrical contact between the clip-on metadataattachment 20 or the clip-on label 42, the metadata card 30 and devicememory 46. Although described herein as having a card form factor,metadata card 30 can comprise, generally, any form factor, and cancomprise so-called key fobs, memory chips, or fanciful structures whichcan have a shape that is indicative of the type of metadata providedthereby. For example a funnel shaped metadata card 30 can be used toindicate that a tornado effect is to be incorporated onto an image.

It will be appreciated that the metadata stored in metadata memory 24 ordevice memory 46 can be automatically associated with captured images atthe time of capture or thereafter. This association can be made byadjusting, modifying or adding image content, processing an image inaccordance with the metadata, storing the metadata, presenting themetadata and image, and/or using the metadata in any other way.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

PARTS LIST

-   -   10 Image capture device    -   12 window    -   14 viewfinder    -   16 trigger    -   20 metadata attachment    -   21 body    -   24 metadata memory    -   25 power source    -   26 trigger sensor    -   27 transceiver    -   28 holster    -   30 metadata card    -   31 card communication circuit    -   32 metadata source    -   33 transponder circuit    -   34 memory    -   36 window    -   38 mask    -   39 detachable clip-on masks    -   40 mask    -   42 clip-on label    -   44 device transponder    -   46 device memory    -   50 recess

1. An accessory, for use with an image capture device having a triggerbutton, and a viewfinder, the accessory comprising: a label body adaptedto be detachably connectable to the image capture device and including:a communication interface; a memory, connected to the communicationinterface, for receiving and storing special effect metadata to beassociated with the individual captured image during processing of thecaptured image; and a trigger sensor for detecting the depression of thetrigger button of said image capture device; a detachable maskincluding, a viewable special effect image thereon; and wherein, uponassembling the label body and mask on the image capture device, saidmask is superimposed on said viewfinder such that the special effectimage and the scene can be viewed through the viewfinder, and whereinthe trigger sensor, upon detecting depression of the trigger button,activates the communication interface of the label body to receivespecial effect image data from the radio frequency identification deviceand transmit the special effect metadata to the memory of the labelbody, so that the special effect metadata can be associated with theindividual captured image during photofinishing.
 2. The accessory ofclaim 1, wherein said mask memory stores special effect metadatacomprising additional photofinishing instructions.
 3. The accessory ofclaim 2, wherein the photofinishing instructions are selected from thegroup consisting of zooming, gray scaling, pure black and white, and/orcolorizing.
 4. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the special effectmetadata stored in the mask memory stores at least once of image dataand information that can be used to obtain visual data.
 5. The accessoryof claim 1, wherein the special effect metadata stores at least one ofaudio data and information that can be used to obtain audio data.
 6. Theaccessory of claim 1, wherein said detachable mask is reprogrammable. 7.The accessory of claim 1, wherein said detachable mask is detachablyconnected to the label body.
 8. The accessory of claim 1, wherein saiddetachable mask is detachably connected to the viewfinder of the imagecapture device.
 9. An image capture system for associating a capturedimage with metadata, the image capture system comprising: an imagecapture device having a trigger button and a viewfinder; a label bodyadapted to be detachably connectable to the image capture device andincluding, a wireless communication interface; a memory, connected tothe wireless communication interface, for receiving the storing specialeffect image data to be associated with the individual captured imageduring processing of the captured image; and a trigger sensor fordetecting the depression of the trigger button of said image capturedevice; a detachable mask including, a viewable special effect imagethereon; and a radio frequency device which includes a wirelesscommunication interface, a memory connected to the wirelesscommunication interface for storing metadata to be associated with theindividual captured image during processing of the captured image,wherein, upon assembling the label body and mask on the image capturedevice, said mask is superimposed on said viewfinder such that thespecial effect image can be viewed by a user, and wherein the triggersensor, upon detecting depression of the trigger button, activates thecommunication interface of the label body to receive metadata from theradio frequency device and from a memory in the image capture device andto transmit the metadata to a memory of the label body so that themetadata is associated with the captured image.
 10. The image capturesystem of claim 9, wherein the image capture device is a digital camera.11. The image capture system of claim 10, wherein the image capturedevice is a reloadable film camera having a memory.
 12. The imagecapture system of claim 10, wherein the image capture device furtherincludes detachable memory for storing the special effect image data.13. The image capture system of claim 12, wherein the communicationinterface receives the metadata from the radio frequency device andconverts the metadata into a different form and stores the convertedmetadata in the memory of the image capture device.